Ashburton made it two wins from as many games when they travelled to Dartington and Totnes CC at the weekend.
After winning the toss, captain Ash Berry quickly opting to bowl, the Chargers made a lightening start reducing the hosts to 42/4. Tom Durman and Tristan Wakefield claiming two wickets each in their opening spells. Bertus Loots made a rapid 81 for the home side but other than that, not many others managed to get going. After Durman and Wakefield took out the first four, Will Coon spun his way to 5-37 as the hosts were bowled out for 155.
Openers Lloyd White and Martin Causey went out to bat immediately before tea and had 15 overs to face. Any chance of a home win went out the window fast as both openers raced away, reaching 84-0 after the first 15 overs, White exactly 50 not out. Play resumed for 16 more balls after tea until the rain came with the Chargers 96-0. After just under an hour, the rain eventually stopped and both openers had to bat for 14 more balls before winning on run rate. Causey fell was out at fine leg, attempting to hook, but White (56*) and Durman (0*) got over the line. Next week the 1st XI travel to Bridestowe.
Skipper Berry said: “It was another proficient performance by us, despite the strange situation with the rain and revised target. Batsman and bowlers are in very good form and we've not diverted from Plan A yet. We are now fully focused on next week's trip to Bridestowe"”
The 2nd XI suffered an agonising defeat against Plympton courtesy of coming off early for rain. The game was evenly poised with Plympton 77-3 after 22 overs chasing 146 to win. Russ Lacey top scoring for us with 33 when the rain came down. A par score at that point of coming off would have been 71 so Plympton just edged it on run rate - with two boundaries in the over before coming off. An enjoyable, hard fought game, we are already looking forward to the return leg.
1st XI: Dartington & Totnes 155 (G Loots 81; W Coon 5-37, T Wakefield 2-31, T Durman 2-40), Ashburton 101-1 (L White 56no, extras 28). Ashburton (20pts) beat Dartington & Totnes (3) by 9 wkts.
2nd XI: Ashburton 145 (R Lacey 44, K Nicholls 27; T Richards 2-15, J Caunter 2-18), Plympton 77-3 (C O’ Higgins 40no). Plympton (16pts) bt Ashburton (4) on run rate.
